The G5 Governors of the PDP: Seyi Makinde, Ifeanyi Ugwanyi, Nyesom Wike,Samuel Ortom and Okezie Ikpeazu.
Atiku Abubakar – The PDP presidential flag bearer.
Nyesom Wike; Executive Governor of the oil-rich Rivers State – in South-South region of Nigeria, obviously is the leader of what some might term as the five rebellion governors of the People Democratic Party [PDP], though they are known more as the G-5 Governors.
This G-5 Governors is slightly different from the one they called Integrity Group, though both Groups are in the PDP. There is need to place the two groups outstandingly different, and it is by so doing that we may be able to present the narration vividly, for assimilated understanding.
While the former [G-5] is made up of Governors Nyesom Wike [Rivers State], Seyi Makinde (Oyo State), Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu State), Samuel Ortom (Benue State) and Okezie Ikpeazu [Abia State], the Integrity Group consists of these five governors and other top hierarchy members of the Party [PDP].
These other members of the Party would include people like Chief Olabode George, Professor Jerry Gana, Air Vice Marshal Jonah Jang and scores of others scattered around the country but said to have been united on one purpose – Equity, Fair-play, Inclusivity and Justice.
Of course, it was as a fallout of two events. The first being the aftermath of the PDP Presidential Primary of May 28, 2022, at the MKO Abiola Stadium, in Abuja – a Primary Atiku Abubakar won, with alleged intrigue of compromised conspiracy. The second runner-up at that exercise; Governor Wike made a point of violating the Party’ rule of conduct against the Governor of Sokoto State – Aminu Tambuwa, without so much heating the water up.
But the chicken did not come home to roost until the Presidential flagbearer [Atiku Abubakar] turned around to pick his running mate for the battle ahead. Unexpectedly, at some quarters, but specially expected at other camps of evaluations, Atiku picked the Governor of Delta State – Senator Ifeanyi Okowa.
This was where the bubble blows up. And Governor Nyesom Wike’s calls to rebellion echo out. Of course, he had rays of ally amongst his compatriot of serving governors. He was able to gather four others [already named above] to himself. We all are not ignorant of what the cruise of the calls are. Ipso facto, let us move fast to the exodus of the narration, having identified the genesis.
We are not giving judgement on who did the right thing and who did the wrong thing. At least, not for now.
In the Nigerian politics display, there is not straight line of morality as there is no ideological camp of practitioners. What is acceptable to one Political Party on this side of the line is conveniently acceptable to any other Political Party at the other side of the divide.
On the revengers mission, trenches have been dug since then. And of course, each of the personae dramatis have adequately dogged in.
Permit me to quote my thought on the battle when it started. And yours sincerely penned this down on September 22, 2022. Read my thought below, please.
In 2014, President Goodluck Jonathan refused 5 PDP Governors’ request of letting Bamanga Tukur; then National Chairman of the Party – PDP, go. This led to the failure of the Party @ the 2015 General election. One of those that led the breakaway N-PDP was Atiku Abubakar.
And this is 2022; months to 2023 General elections, that beautiful woman of substance in destiny matters; known as KARMA, is quickly here again with the same PDP. And she comes with ready-made 5 Governors of the Party, now confronting Atiku Abubakar; the presidential candidate of the Party in 2023 General elections, to either throw away the Party’s National Chairman; Iyorchia Ayu, or say goodbye to 2023 electoral presidential victory.
As it was with Goodluck Jonathan in 2014, so it is with Atiku Abubakar in 2022.
It is Madam KARMA that is visiting.
The Guru shall return!
And many agreed with me then. As many are still agreeing with me now. Let us fast-forward the transition because of time and space for this exercise.
Governor Nyesom Wike’s warning of yesterday, saying that “the window of reconciliation in the PDP is closing”, can only be news for the “Hippopotamus from the sea of the rivers”, because that has been a vital known fact for most Nigerians, even before now.
Unfortunately, though, there are evidence now that all members of the G5 lacked the courage and integrity to metamorphosed into becoming anything near Integrity class of a people.
Did they not promise that they would name the Presidential candidate of other political parties their followers would be voting for on January 5, 2023, when Governor Seyi Makinde would be launching his gubernatorial campaign in Ibadan? What did Nigerians hear from those cowards at the launching – the date they promised?
Mum, we confirmed. And what did that imply?
I ran into Chief Olabode George at the Bent Cross Shopping Mall in London, on Saturday, December 31, 2023, where we exchanged good wishes as we shook hands, there was one thing l observed from his looks, which told me that things were not too good with the meeting they had in London the previous day.
And that observation cautioned me not to discuss the presidential candidate that they agreed to be backing as expected for the governors’ announcement in Ibadan on January 5, 2023. But the very sad dead-end they arrived in that their jamboree, galvanising round the world about their resolve, in London, is now more publicly in the domain of most Nigerians.
While Wike and Makinde were said to have agreed to openly work for Tinubu, Ugwuanyi and Ikpeazu reportedly agreed to work silently for the former Lagos State governor to avoid the wrath of the supporters of the Labour Party (LP), who have the capacity to frustrate their political ambitions in the South-East. Ortom, on the other hand, opted to work for Obi.
But none has made any public pronouncement. Even Ortom, in his press statement supporting Obi, acknowledged that as a member of the PDP, he would not lead Obi’s campaign.
Could this be a great lesson for Nigerian politicians, whom, at most times live like God, in all but one thing only – nefarious activities?
There is an Urhobo words of wisdom that cautions about the foolishness of any human being living like God.
It says that Ohworakpo cha sia dio Oghene bidibede re!
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